The $6.9 million project will link Metro with the University of Cincinnati and hospitals in the Clifton area with improved shelters that will provide riders with information about routes.

"We had over $600 million worth of projects over the last year, either underway or completed, and that pace is expected to continue into the future, but it's going to reach a point that if traffic becomes a problem, that that will stifle growth, and we can't let that happen," said Beth Robinson, of the Uptown Consortium.

The project will mesh the university's shuttle system with those run by the hospitals and Metro buses.

The plan will also upgrade transit plazas and streetscapes and is expected to be completed by early 2014.

Funding comes mostly from federal grants, with $2 million from the city.

Uptown is home to 50,000 residents, 50,000 jobs and 34,000 UC students, so improving traffic and congestion is a big concern.